Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin has led 624 laps through the first 12 races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, the most of any driver.
According to Oval Insider, that represents 19.7% of his total completed laps, placing him 125 laps ahead of second-place Kyle Larson.
Hamlin also co-owns 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Their driver Tyler Reddick leads the Cup Series standings by more than 100 points after five wins, including the Daytona 500.
The dual role creates a unique dynamic: Hamlin sits second in the drivers' standings behind his own employee.
"I hope nothing would be more awkward than me finishing second to Tyler Reddick," Hamlin said.
23XI Racing has grown from a single-car operation with fewer than 25 employees in 2020 to a championship contender.
The organization was recently nominated by Sports Business Journal for Sports Team of the Year, and Jordan for Sports Executive of the Year.
Hamlin compared his pride in the team to parenting: "You're far more proud of their accomplishments than anything you do yourself."
Building a Team with Outside Talent
Hamlin attributed the team's rapid rise to hiring from outside NASCAR. "We've wanted to be game changers," he said.
New hires often bring fresh perspectives, asking, "In Germany, we don't do that."
The organizational structure empowers department heads, including HR.
"My job is to put the big pieces of the puzzle in and let them fill out the small pieces," Hamlin explained.
While outside ideas sometimes align with legacy team methods, the approach has helped 23XI Racing challenge the established hierarchy.
"We're trying to infiltrate the old guard," Hamlin said on his Actions Detrimental podcast.
Honest Commentary and Career-Best Stretch
Hamlin's open communication style led to a meeting with NASCAR leadership early in his podcast run.
He told them fans tune in for honest takes, and the sport must accept criticism alongside promotion.
On track, Hamlin called his last 20 races the best stretch of his career. He noted speed is strong on all ovals but identified restarts as a weakness.
"These races definitely come down to the shootouts at times," he said.
Hamlin remains focused on improving short-run performance and road course execution.
He continues pursuing a driver's championship with Joe Gibbs Racing while Tyler Reddick leads the owner's championship for 23XI Racing.
